Diaphragm-horn.



M. R. HUTCHISON.

DIAPHRAGM HORN.

APPLIOATXON FILED MAY 11,1911. 1.120,618.

Patented Dec 8, 1914.

9 SHEETSSHEET 1v WITNESSES R Ww INVENTQE a j,

B) 51-in- MUD/ME) M. R. HUTCHISON.

DIAPHRAGM HORN.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11,1911.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Ill/ MENTOR WITNESSES BY Mm/mn UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILLER REESE HUTCHISO N, OF WEST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNDR T0 LOVELL-MOGONNELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

DIAPHRAGM-HORN.

Application filed Kay 11, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILLER REESE H U'I'CHISON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of lVest Orange, in the county of Essex and Stateof New Jersey, have in- 'vented certain new and useful Improvements inDiaphragm-Horns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mechanicallyactuated alarm or signalingdevices wherein the sound is produced by the vibration of a diaphragm,reed, spring tongue or the like, by means of a rotary driver having camteeth or eccentric projections and driven at high speed by power means,for example an electric motor. In such signals the vibration of thediaphragm is preferably in the nature of a bodily to and fro movement,and such vibration may be effectively produced by a rigid driver rigidlyheld, as shown for example, in my Patent No. 923,049.

According to my present invention I inlerpose yielding means or aresilient mounting between the shaft, which is preferably rigid andrigidly held, and a membercarrying a series of cam teeth or eccentricprojections, for engagement with a diaphragm Wear-piece, or othersurface, for the purpose of actuating the diaphragm. Preferably this cammember is in the nature of a ring encircling the shaft.

The yielding connection between the shaft and the cam ring is preferablya spring mounting and serves as a cushioning means. as the drivingconnection between the shaft and. the ring, and as the support for thelatter. The action of the device may vary considerably according-to therelation between the stiflness and inertia of the diaphragm. thestillness of the spring mounting. and the inertia of the cam ring, andthe spced of rotation. lVith a relatively still spring mounting, theaction of the cams in riding o 'er the diaphragm wear-piece or othercontact surface will be primarily or entirely a cam-forcing action,producing outward displacement of the diaphragm with minimum yielding ofthe spring. each cam on riding oil the near-piece permitting thediaphragm to execute a free backward swing. and the successive forcingactions being cushioned to a degree according to the range of yieldingof the spring mounting. This range is obviously dependent on therelation betwccn the stiffness of the diaphragm and Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914. Serial No. 628,490.

the stiffness of the mounting. With an extremely flexible springmounting, each cam contact results mainly in the ring carrier beingcammed away fron the diaphragm against the tension of the springmounting, the diaphragm-forcing being minimum, and the sliding of thecam tooth oil" the Wearpiece permitting the ring carrier to springtoward the diaphragm under the actuation of the spring, so as to delivera blow to the \vear-piccc. In this instance the diaphragm vlbrations.and therefore the sound, will be mainly produced by what is in effect acam-set, spring-artuatcd hammer. Between these extremes there are alarge number of intermediate conditions in which the camf'orcing actionand the s iringhammcring action will both be present, one or the otherpredominating in a degree according as the conditions outlined are morefavorable to the one or the other. Another case that may he consideredis one where the shaft is rotated at a speed sulliciently high and thecam ring has sullicient inertia. so that the spring mounting is unablein the short n tcrval between cam contacts to restore the cam ring tonormal position. In such a case the cam ring at normal operating speedassumcs a more or less definite position in space with relation to thediaphragm. This may be merely snllicient to someivhut our" tail thelength of each cam-surface that engages with the wear-piece, or it mayhe a position of maxin'mln removal from the din phragm so that mer lythe tips of the teeth skim over the cooperating surface or projection.with consequent minimum amplitude of vibration of the diaphragm and theproduction of a shrill or wailing note.

Where the inertia of the cam ring is an important factor. the springmounting enables the rotary driver to he sclfadjusting to a positionrelatively to the diaphragm \vhcrc it operates in host udumtugc for thepower expcndcd. This is 01" special value in suppressing interfcrcmrebetween the driver and the diaphragm should the two got out of step.pmticularlv Whom the diaphragm is reinforced or controllcd in itsibration by a strong or powerful resonator.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating certain of the possi lecmliodimcnts of my invention:

Figure l is a view of a oomph-1r signal, partly in UllJYHtlO Il andpartly in section;

Ill)

lip. 15 is a. sectional plan, showing the shaft, .l fllliitlll',yielding connection, and diaplirngln, the clamping portions of thecasing licing shown holding the margins of the diaphragm, and theremainder being omitted; and Figs 3 and 4 are similar views ofmodifications.

The numeral 1 indicates a born or resonator carried by the front section'2 of a suitable case for the diaphragm or other vibrator. A diaphragm 3is shown, held between cork Washers or the like 4, 5 by the marginalclamping portions 6, 7 of the front section and the rear section 8 ofthe diaphragm case. The clamping is effected by E(,'IQ\\S 9, which passthrough openings in the clamping ortions of the case sections and in thegasEets and the marginal region f the diaphragm. The rear section 8 ofthe case is formed to rcceixe a rotary driver lo, which is shonn in theform of a ring bearing a series of eccentric projections or cam teeth 11on its periphery. This ring constitutes means for supporting andmaintaining said projections at predetermined iixed distances from acommon center, and, incidentally also, in fixed angular relation wish repect to each other. The ring is conim: to the shaft 12. or to a. disk 13secured lli ltiii, by means of a spring mounting. The shaft ispreferably rigid and rigidly held in a fixed bearing 14. This hearing:may he elongated so as to enter the rear section of the diaphragm case.and may be an extension of the case l5 inclosing a driving electricdirect current rotary motor. The shaft 12 may be an extensi n of thearmature shaft of this motor. The bearing sleeve l l has externalcircular bearings l4 and 14:"

in the rear section of the diaphragm case, and the shaft isecccntric tothese hearings, so that th rotary actuator may be adjusted toward orfrom the diaphragm by rotary adjustment of the sleeve.

The spring mounting for the rotary camcarrier or driver may be widelyvaried. In l 'ig. '2 it is shown as comprising a series of leaf springs16. or short sections of spiral s .n-ings, secured at their inner endsto the disk l? and at their outer ends to the ring. It ill be obviousthat one or more springs coiled spirally around the shaft may besubstituted. In Fig. 3 a plurality of cylindri cal spiral springs l6 aredisposed radially between the shaft and the ring, and in Fig. 4 similarsprings are disposed tangentially between the parts.

In Figs. 2 and 4, the teeth 11 are shown as true cams having verticalbacks, and the Weanpiece or diaphragm projection 17 is also shown with avertical back, so that the return swing of the diaphragm after anoutward forcing movement. or the return movement of the actuating ringafter being cammed rearward will be a free movement. Obviously, thisconstruction permits of the driver or actuator being rotated in one direction only. Fig. 3 shows the cam teeth in clined at both sides and theneanpiecc similarly inclined, so that the motor may run in eitherdirection. The diaphragm wearpiece or projection 17 may be formed on orsecured to the diaphragm in any suitable manner, or the rotary cammcmbermay engage with another part for actuating the diaphragm.

The stiffness and inertia of the diaphragm, the weight and inertia ofthe rotary cam member, the stiffness of the spring mounting thereof, andthe speed of rotation, may all be varied according to the particularresults desired, as hereinbeiore indicated. Where the rotary cam memberactuators the diaphragm by repeated canrforcing eilorts, the hlouorthrust may he cushiouci'l to a degree desired by the spring mounting. Onth other hand the relatiiistiffness of the diaphragm and spring mountingmay be such that thecam ilCilOll takes sheet on the rotary memberrail-er than on the diaphragm, so that the cam ring is forced rearward,to be rclcns-"(i by the mini lllliIlg off the diaphragm projection, 0that the ring may fly back und r lln: actuation of its spring to causethe next tooth to deliver a blow after the manner of a spring actuatedhammer.

It will be seen that the yielding of the spring mounting may he onlysuilicient to cushion the canri'orcing of the diaphragm Without,material displacement or retardation of the rotary cam member or thedisplacement of the diaphragm and cam member, may be mutual and inopposite directions, or the displacement due to the cam ming may bemainly a rearward displacement of the cam member, in which event thespring hammering action is at a maximum. Where the rotary cam member hasconsiderable mass and inertia, andespecially where the spring mountingis relatively flexible, the cam member may be forced away from thediaphragm to a position which it maintains more or less definitelyduring operation at normal running speed, the note becoming a pronouncedwail when the interception of the path of the cam projections by thediaphragm-proiection is slight and the speed is very high. Through outthe range of possible action of the rotary member its ability to yieldrelatively to the diaphragm is of distinct advantage, in that it enablesit to be self-adjusting with reference to the diaphragm.

I claim:

1. In an alarm or signal, the combination of a shaft, a cam ring carriedthereby, a resilient connection between said ring and said shaft andpermitting limited radial movement of one in respect to the other, and adiaphragm adapted to be vibrated by successive impacts from the cams ofsaid ring.

2. In an alarm or signal the combination of a diaphragm, a rotatabledrive shaft, high speed driving means therefor, a rotor concentrictherewith and having a series of cam projections adapted to successivelyengage with said diaphragm to vibrate the latter, and a springconnection between said drive shaft and said rotor permitting limitedcircumferential movement of one in respect to the other during therotation of said shaft and said rotor at high speed.

3. In an alarm or signal the combination of a diaphragm, a rotatabledrive shaft, high speed driving means therefor, a rotor carried by saidshaft and having a series of cam projections adapted to successivelyengage with said diaphragm to vibrate the latter, and a springconnection between said drive shaft and said rotor permittingcomparatively slight limited rotative movement of one in respect to theotherduring the rotation of said shaft and said rotor at high speed.

4. In an alarm or signal, the combination of a shaft, high speed drivingmeans therefor, a cam ring mounted thereon, a resilient connectionbetween said ring and said shaft and permitting limited rotativemovement of one in respect to the other during starting and stopping ofsaid driving means, and a diaphragm adapted to be vibrated by successiveimpacts from the cams of said rlng.

5. In an alarm or signal, the combination of a diaphragm, and mechanicalmeans for actuating the same consisting of a rotary shaft, a rotorconcentric therewith, and provided with a series of cams for impartingvibrations to said diaphragm, said cams being held at a fixed distancefrom a common center, means for rotatin said shaft at high speed tosimultaneous impart a corresponding high speed to said actuator, and

a yielding connection between said actuator and said shaft and ermittinga relative movement during said rotation.

6. In an alarm or signal, the combination of a diaphragm, and mechanicalmeans for actuating the same consisting of a rotary shaft, a rotorconcentric therewith, and provided with a series of cams for impartingvibrations to said diaphragm, said cams being held at a fixed distancefrom a common center. means for rotating said shaft at high speed tosimultaneously impart a some sponding high speed to said actuator. and aspring between said actuator and said shaft and permitting a relativemovement during said rotation. for driving said actuator at a speedapproximatingvfhat of said shaft.

In an alarm or signal, the combination of a diaphragm, and mechanicalmeans for actuating the same consisting of a rotary shaft, a rotorconcentric therewith, and provided with a series of cams for impartingibrations to said diaphragm, said cams being held at a fixed distancefrom a common center, means for rotating said shaft at high speed tosimultaneously impart a corresponding high speed to said actuator, and ayielding connection between said actuator and said shaft and permittinga relative movement during said rotation. the engagement of said camswith said diaphragm serving to impart to the latter bodily swings andthe reaction of said diaphragm serving to govern the speed of rotationof said actuator.

8. In an alarm or signal, the combination of a diaphragm, and mechanicalmeans for actuating the same consisting of a rt tnry shaf t. a rotorconcentric therewith, and provided with a series of cams for impartingvibrations to said diaphragm, said cams being rigid in respect to eachother, means for rotating said shaft at high speed to simultaneouslyimpart a corresponding high speed to said actuator, and a yieldingconnection between said actuator and said shaft and permitting arelative movement during said rotation.

9. In an alarm or signal, the combination of a diaphragm, and mechanicalmeans for actuating the sa me consisting of a rotary shaft, a rotor.provided with a series of cams for imparting vibrations to saiddiaphragm, said cams being held at a fixed distance from a commoncenter. means for rotating said shaft at high speed to simultaneouslyimpart a corresponding high speed to said actuator, and a yieldingconnection between said ac tuator and said shaft and permitting acomparatively slight relative movement during said rotation.

10. In an alarm or signal, the combination of a diaphragm, andmechanical means for actuating the same consisting of a rotary shaft, arotor provided with a series of cams for imparting vibrations to saiddiaphragm, said cams being held at a fixed distance from a commoncenter. means for rotating said shaft at high speed to simultaneouslyimpart a corresponding high speed to said actuator, and a yieldingconnection between said actuator and said shaft and permitting arelative movement through apart of a revolution during said rotation.

11. A sound emitting device for alarm signals consisting of an acousticdiaphragm, a rotor for imparting vibrations thereto, a shaft supportingsaid rotor. means operated positively and directly in one direction forrotating said shaft at high speed, and a re silicnt motion transmittingmember connecting said shaft and said rotor, and permitting said shaftto start rotating prior to the starting of rotation by said rotor andcontinue rotation until tin. tension of said r0 silient 1mm exrcvua theresistance which said diaphragm ull'ui. to the rotation of said rotor.

12. A sound vinitling device for alarm signals uonsisting of an acousticdiaphragm, a rotor for imparting vibrations thereto, 2L slia ftsupporting said rotor, means operated positively and directly in onedirection for rotating said shaft at high speed. and a spring connectingsaid ShJfC and said rotor, and permitting Sllid shaft to start rotatingprior to the starting of rotation by said to- Lor and continue rotationuntil the tension of said spring exceeds the resistance which 1.5 sniildiaphragm offers to the rotation of said rotor.

Signed at New York city, in the cormty of New kin-k. and State of NewYork this 9th [lily of Mn). A. D. 1911.

MILLER JEESE HUTCHISON, lYitneisses:

Iinixo M. Oisim-Luu'r,

Julian 1). BROWN.

tinue rotation until the tension of said resilient means exceeds theresistance which said diaphragm oil'ers to the rotation of said rotor.

12. A. sound emitting device for alarm signals consisting of an acousticdiaphragm, a rotor for imparting vibrations thereto, a shaft supportingsuid rotor, means operated positively and directly in one direction forrotating said shaft at high speed, and a spring connecting said shaftand said rotor,

and permitting said shaft to start rotating ph ragm-Horns,

have been given as Delaware,

[SEAL] prior to the starting of rotation ,by said rotor and eontinnerotation until the tension of said spring exceeds the resistance which1:) said diaphragm offers to the rotation of said rotor.

Signed at New York city, in the county of Xew York, and State of NewYork this 9th day of Miiy, A. D. 1911.

' IiIILLlCR .lEESE HUTCHISON lVitnesses 1 Invmo M. Omunon'r, JAMES 1).BROWN.

11 is hereby certified that the Stnte ot incorporation of the assigneein Letters Patent No, 1,120,618, granted December 8, 19M, upon theapplication of Miller Reese Hutehisou, of \Vest Orange, New Jersey, foran improvement in Dieivas erroneously given as New Jersey, whereas saidState should shown by therecords of assignments in this office; and thatthe said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein thatthe same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of March, A. ll, 1915.

J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissioner of Patents,'

11 is hereby certified that the State of incorporation of the assigneein Letters Patent No. 1,120,618, granted December S, 18 14, upon theapplication of Miller Reese Hutehison, of West Orange, New Jersey, foran improvement in Dia phragm-Horns, was erroneously given as New Jersey,whereas said State should have been given as Delaware, as shown by therecords of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with this correction therein that the same may conform tothe record of the case in the Patent Ofliee.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of March, A. D., 1915.

[SEAL] 'J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissioner 'of Patents.

